Container with magnetic safety frame



July 15, 1969 A. M. SCHWEIZER 3,455,359

CONTAINER WITH MAGNETIC SAFETY FRAME F/GZ Muenfor An/omeffe M, SchwazerUnited States Patent U.S. Cl. 15029 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe invention relates to a safety lock device for handbags, lunchboxes,suitcases and similar containers, wherein said receptables are providedwith a magnetic frame. Both pivotal parts of said frame being formedentirely of an integral mixture of plastic and magnetic powder.

The object of this invention in connection with the frame of thecontainer, provides an absolutely reliable, secure lock which serves asa second lock, and security against self-opening of these containers orit can replace the customary lock.

This inventive idea originated after the consideration of the fact, thatthe present standard mechanical locks on, for example, handbags orsuitcases do not provide absolute safety against self-opening.

Experience has shown that, for instance, a handbag has been found open,when its owner was about to pay for something, and found money or papersmissing. This self-opening characteristic of a handbag, suitcase orlunchbox is often caused when its owner closed it superficially, waspushed against in a crowd, or, as in most instances, realized that themechanical lock stopped functioning.

This well known disadvantageous self-opening happens especially often tochildren carrying some food and perhaps milk-money in their lunchboxes,and who, upon their arrival at school are unpleasantly surprised to findit empty. The disagreeable astonishment of having a suitcase open in themiddle of the street and its contents gathered to gether by thosepassing by, is also not unknown. This invention provides a magneticsafety lock which protects against self-opening. The magnetic attractionpower holds both halves of handbag securely together as well as the lidof a suitcase or lunchbox to its lower or opposite part, even if thelocking of the container had been forgotten or the mechanical lock nolonger functions properly.

The uses of magnetic locks are not new, for they can be found innumerous variations on closets, cabinets, doors, refrigerators, etc.

Such magnets can be obtained all over. However, this kind of a magneticlock cannot be mounted advantageously on a ladies pretty handbag or apurse characterized by refinement and good taste or an elegant piece ofluggage, without disturbing its beautiful effect.

They are relatively too large, visible and have insufiicient attractionpower to lock a handbag which has, for example, an inch wide frame.Besides, the assembling of such an ordinary marketable lock would causetechnical complications, because a suitcase frame and handbag framewould have to be made in such large dimensions as to cause a clumsyappearance.

A magnet of this type of lock has also been known to loosen and fall outof its lodging.

According to the objects of the invention of the Magnetic Safetyframefor Containers, the above mentioned disadvantages are eliminated. Inorder to provide handbags, lunchboxes, suitcases and similar containerswith an absolutely secure and indestructible lock, the frame of theseobjects will be made of magnetic material throughout.

3,455,359 Patented July 15, 1969 Magnetic frames for handbags and likecontainers have both of their pivotal parts made entirely of an integralmixture of a substantially rigid plastic or rubber, etc. and a highlymagnetizable ferromagnetic powder material.

The two magnetic parts are joined by a pivot means disposed at both oftheir lower opposite ends which provides for the pivotal movementbetween the closed and open positions thereof.

The two separate parts of the frame are magnetized to have oppositepolarity thus enhancing their attraction for each other.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in thefollowing detail description and the accompanying drawings whichillustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein FIG. 1 is aperspective view of a magnetic frame forming my invention, shown insemi-open position;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the frame, illustrated inFIG. 1, in closed position looking toward one end thereof, and showingone means of attaching the receptacle portion thereto; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the magnetic frame shown in FIGS. 1 and2 after attachment to the receptacle portion of a handbag or the like.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a frame 10 consistingof two separate U-shaped magnetized parts 11, 12 pivotally joinedtogether at their lower opposite ends 13, 13' 14, 14' by an intersectingpivot 15, 15', respectively.

Each frame part has an inner surface, 16, 16' which is flush with itscounterpart throughout its entire U-shaped configuration, i.e., fromends 13, 14 to ends 13, 14, respectively. These two meeting surfaces areof opposite polarity to enhance their mutual magnetic attraction.

In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in the drawings, each framepart 11, 12 is L-shaped in cross section, see FIG. 1, with a U-shapedflange 17, 17' extending rearwardly from its right-angled portion 16,16'. One important function of flanges 17, 17 is to provide structuralstrength to the frame.

The outer edges of the material forming the receptacle portion 18 of acontainer such as a handbag 19 or the like, may be adhered by glue,cement, etc., fused, smelted and/or afiixed by any other conventionalmeans, to the under surfaces of flanges 16, 16" and/or 17, 17',respectively, see FIG. 2, to form the container shown in FIG. 3.

In addition to the self-closing frame 11, 12, 15 the container may alsohave a dual clamp or latching means 26, 21 forming a supplementarysafety lock. Each means is attached to opposite parts of the frame. Sucha lock may not only provide a decorative ornament, but also an effectivemeans of separating the two self-closing parts 11, 12 to afford accessto the container.

It will be seen that even if the mechanical latch 20 may be accidentallydislodged from its locked position in engagement with knob 21, thehandbag would still remain closed to safeguard its contents until anoppositely directed pull, in excess of the magnetic force of frame parts11, 12, is exerted on the latching means 20, 21.

Although the magnetized frame 11, 12 is preferably fabricated fromsubstantially rigid plastic material, it also could be molded from amore pliable magnetic band or strip material formed of rubber andferromagnetized powder. For example, the frame parts 11, 12 could befabricated from such magnetbands having a width of 0.5 inch and athickness of 0.125 inch. This would provide a magnetic attractionsuffcient to pull two frame halves together from a distance of between 1/2-2 inches, and thereafter hold them firmly together against accidentalseparation.

The frame construction is not limited to the specific embodiments shownin the drawings, but may be of any suitable construction to which thereceptacle portion may be attached by any conventional means.

The forms of the invention here described and illustrated are presentedmerely as examples of how the invention may be embodied and applied.Other forms, embodiments and applications of the invention, will ofcourse suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising a receptacle portion, a frame attached to saidreceptacle portion adapted to open and close said container to provideaccess thereto, said frame comprising two separate parts and pivot meansfor joining said parts and providing for their pivotal movement betweenclosed and open positions, both of said parts being formed entirely ofan integral mixture of plastic and magnetic powder, and said parts beingmagnetized and having opposite polarity thereby to provide a selfclosingframe.

2. A container according to claim 1, including a latching means disposedon said frame wherein said self-closing frame forms a supplementarysafety lock for said container.

3. A frame for a handbag and the like comprising a pair of U-shapedmolded parts of substantially rigid strip material, each said part beingformed entirely of a mixture of plastic and magnetic powder, said partsbeing magnetized and having opposite polarity, and pivot means joiningsaid parts at opposite end thereof and providing for their pivotalmovement between closed and open positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,288,688 7/1942 Oubilier.

2,959,832 11/1960 Baermann.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,191,546 4/1959 France.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

